SNPhA Chapter Co-Founder Announced National President-Elect
Precious Craig, the new SNPhA National President-Elect
As a student, there are a variety of professional organizations to join at the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy. Many are local chapters of national organizations that specialize in various areas of the pharmacy industry, support diverse communities, or offer opportunities for community service. Join us as we highlight the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA), a subdivision of NPhA, and some of its student chapter representatives.
The NPhA is an educational service association of pharmacy students who are concerned about the profession of pharmacy, healthcare issues, and the poor minority representation in these areas. The purpose of the SNPhA is to plan, organize, coordinate, and execute programs geared toward the improvement of the health, educational, and social environment of minority communities.
This past August, the NPhA hosted its annual national convention with over 1,000 pharmacy practitioners and students from different regions, practices, and specialties to promote education, awareness, and opportunity within the pharmacy industry. In attendance were local SNPhA chapter student officers: Jessica Iyang, president; Evon Nguyen, vice president; and co-founders Precious Craig and Pearl Craig.
A significant moment took place, the election of our very own Precious Craig, chapter co-founder, as the new national president-elect of SNPhA. "Being elected as the SNPhA national president-elect is still such a surreal and humbling experience. It’s something I never could have imagined when I first co-founded the SNPhA chapter at the University of Arizona just two years ago. To have started as a student looking for ways to make a difference, and now, to be voted on by my peers to represent and lead at the national level, is truly an honor. I am incredibly grateful for the trust that SNPhA members have placed in me—seeing my potential and believing in my vision for the future of this organization. This role not only gives me the opportunity to continue the work I’m passionate about but also to serve as a voice for students nationwide, advocating for health equity and empowering the next generation of pharmacists,” says Craig.
Jeannie Lee, PharmD, associate dean of student services, shares "Precious is passionate about leadership and dedicated to serving the populations who are minoritized and underserved. This is a perfect opportunity for her, and the SNPhA is lucky to have Precious in the National President-Elect position." Joining a professional organization as a student offers the chance to give back to the community, valuable networking opportunities and relationship-building that can enhance your career goals. It provides access to resources, mentorship programs, and educational tools that increase your pharmaceutical knowledge. Taking advantage of events, workshops, and conferences will keep you up-to-date on trends and advancements and build lasting connections. Learn more about the SNPhA, or other student organizations, on our website.
Jessica Inyang, President | Class of 2026
My role is to coordinate all chapter meetings, delegate responsibilities and oversee actions of the E-Board and lastly, promote student involvement and engagement within our SNPhA chapter.
Did you network with any professionals? If so, what advice did they share with you?
- At the conference, I had the opportunity to attend the Rutgers Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship Roundtable where I was able to connect and network with the fellows from different pharmaceutical companies. I was able to gain insights about the program and a deeper understanding of the application process, skills required and how to tailor my experiences.
What was your favorite workshop or hands-on activity, and what made it stand out?
- My favorite workshop was the Eli Lilly and Company LEAP Unscripted: Rapid Impact Workshop. The workshop was an engaging experience where we were spilt into teams to do a SWOT analysis exercise. This exercise made me understand how pharmaceutical companies navigate and make informed strategic decisions. It was also nice to be able to talk through ideas with my team and meet students from different chapters.
If you could bring one idea or initiative from the conference back to your school, what would it be?
I want to encourage student engagement and involvement at SNPhA by volunteering and giving back to the underserved community. I also want to make students aware of the scholarship opportunities, and competitions available. Additionally, I hope students will step out of their comfort zones, attend the regional and national conference, and soak up the invaluable knowledge being shared.
Evon Nguyen, Vice President | Class of 2026
My role is to help our president and president-elect with their duties. I help with planning community and social events, overseeing membership, and communicating with all officers. I attended the national conference as our chapter’s delegate where I met other representatives from across the country. I heard candidate speeches for the national executive board, proposed resolutions from different regions, and experienced SNPhA’s election process.
What was the most unexpected thing you learned at the conference?
- One of the most unexpected things I learned from the conference was how prevalent microaggressions and biases are against minority groups in the pharmacy profession. In one of the open discussions, I listened to various students and pharmacists talk about their workplace cultures. There are limited growth opportunities because of systemic inequities. It’s important to recognize these issues and understand from these experiences.
Which speaker or session had the biggest impact on you and why?
- A “Cultivating Mental Wellness for Pharmacy Professionals” session had one of the biggest impacts on me. While mental health is a topic often talked about in school, it was refreshing to hear about different personal perspectives. It was insightful to discuss how others manage their stress from reading and exercising to simply spending time with friends. The session was a nice reminder that stress is a universal experience and we’re not alone in that.
What advice would you give to other students attending a pharmacy conference for the first time?
- My advice to first-time attendees is to take full advantage of the conference. This was my first pharmacy conference, and it was an incredible experience for my own professional growth. I attended multiple workshops, learned about various fields of pharmacy, and explored the exhibit hall, where I spoke with different organizations and viewed poster presentations. Additionally, I recommend being open to talking to others to expand your network. It can be intimidating but people are very welcoming. It helps to attend the conference with people from our school.
Pearl Craig, Co-Founder | Class of 2025
Student, Former Chapter President 2023-24 school year, chapter delegate. Last year I was the Chapter President, prior to that I was Vice President. Serving as Chapter President was a rewarding experience because I was able to see all my ideas come to life. I am proud of the guest speakers I was able to obtain for our general board meeting in my time as President as the opportunities for community engagement our organization provided for our peers ranging from advocacy walks, health fairs, hygiene kit and harm reduction kit assembly and delivery, and Rocky Point Clinic trips. I received the Rite Aid Leadership Award. This is an award that honors an SNPhA member who exhibits exceptional leadership both on campus and within the community, embodying SNPhA's mission to serve the underserved and promote diversity in the profession.
Co-founding SNPhA has been the highlight on my educational experience. I co-founded our chapter because I recognized the need to have a student organization on campus that serves underserved populations and celebrates students of diverse backgrounds. During my P1 year, I started attending SNPhA webinars that were hosted by the national board, and I really saw the value I saw firsthand the value of connecting with a network of individuals who shared similar goals. I wanted to ensure that other students at our university could benefit from that same opportunity for growth, inclusion, and community that I benefited from.
Which speaker or session had the biggest impact on you and why?
- The session that had the biggest impact on me was the Rutgers Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship (RPIF) Roundtable. This session provided a unique opportunity to learn about the RPIF program and explore various functional areas directly from current fellows. I found it particularly impactful because it gave me invaluable insights into the projects they’re working on, industry-specific terminology, and the overall scope of their roles. As someone actively pursuing a pharmaceutical industry fellowship, the chance to engage with so many fellows in one setting was rare and solidified my interest in this career path. The session deepened my understanding of what to expect and how to prepare to pursue a fellowship in the pharmaceutical industry.
Did you network with any professionals? If so, what advice did they share with you?
- I had the opportunity to network with several professionals, and one piece of advice that I consistently heard from everyone was to know your "why" and learn how to effectively tell your story. As pharmacy students we work hard to gain meaningful and relevant experiences, but those experiences are only as valuable as our ability to communicate each experience in a clear, compelling, and impactful way. It’s not just about what we’ve done, but how we present our journey and convey why it matters—both to ourselves and to the industry.
What advice would you give to other students attending a pharmacy conference for the first time?
- My advice to a pharmacy student attending a conference for the first time is to keep an open mind and embrace every opportunity to learn. I would recommend attending a mix of sessions including those that align with your career interests and some that you are unfamiliar with because you never know when you might discover a new passion. Additionally, don't overlook the importance of peer-to-peer networking with students from other pharmacy schools. Connecting with students from other schools is a great way to expand your professional circle and gain new perspectives. One of the biggest benefits I've found through SNPhA has been access to a network of like-minded people who genuinely want to see you succeed. Keep in mind networking is about building relationships, a simple conversation goes a long way, and those connections can lead to long-term support and opportunities.
Precious Craig, Co-Founder | Class of 2026
Co-founding the SNPhA chapter at the University of Arizona was a pivotal moment in my pharmacy journey. We wanted to create a voice for underrepresented students on campus, especially Black students, to ensure their needs were addressed. From getting in touch with a local pastor to start the Black Health Fair, to working with MexZona, a club that sends pharmacy students to Mexico for a monthly health clinic, it's been incredible to see how much impact we’ve had in just two years. Seeing how far we've come as a chapter is a testament to our shared commitment to making a real difference.
I attended the conference as a member of the national board, serving as the National Region V Facilitator last year. At the conference, I acted as the competition lead for the AstraZeneca Medical Science Liaison competition and was also on the programming committee to help plan the conference. This year, I was elected as National President-Elect.
Did you network with any professionals? If so, what advice did they share with you?
- Networking was great because I had been working with the AstraZeneca team to navigate the MSL competition, and it was a valuable opportunity to finally meet them in person. It was also beneficial to have a now mentor in the industry, which has opened doors to new professional relationships and learning experiences.
What was the most challenging part of attending the conference, and how did you overcome it?
- The most challenging part of the conference for me was balancing multiple responsibilities. I oversaw sessions, moderating and managing the MSl competition, while simultaneously campaigning to be the next President-Elect. On top of that, I had to give a speech to convince the delegates to vote for me, which added extra pressure. Staying focused and organized helped me manage everything.
How did the conference inspire you in terms of your career path?
- I am still focused on the industry route in pharmacy. What’s unique about the SNPhA conference is that it provides opportunities to network with SNPhA alumni and meet fellows or those in the industry.